George w



G. w. HEATH.

Horse Hay-Fork.

No. 63,244. Patented March 26, 1867.

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IMPROVEMENT IN HORSE HAY-FORKS.

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TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. HEATH, of Burlington, Bradford county,Pennsylvania, have invented, made, and applied to use, a new and usefulHorse Hay-Fork for elevating hay; and I do declare the following to be afull, clear, and correct description of the same, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, and tothe letters of reference marked thereon, in which-L Figure 1, a view ofmy improved hay-fork closed and ready for insertion into the hay.

Figure 2, a view'of the same open, after its insertion into the hay.

In the drawings like parts of the invention are pointed out by the sameletters of reference.

The nature of my invention consists in the construction and operation ofa new and improved horse hayfork, as more fully hereinafter described.

To enable those skilled in the arts to make and use iny invention, Iwill describe the operation and construotion of the same. Speaking firstof the construction A shows the main bar of my improved horse hay-fork,which main bar may be made of any suitable metal, and is provided at itsupper end with the eye or how B, to receive the hoisting tackle. Thismain bar A is curved at about two-thirds its length, for the purpose ofreceiving the secondary bar, when the same is thrown out its fulllength, and to allow the handle to be dropped to its proper position, sothat the same shall not come into contact with any obstructions, as wellas to bring the rivets, when the fork is opened, in a uniforni line witheach other, thus preventing the fork from opening until required. At thelower end of this main bar A is pivoted the point or fluke G: D is asecondary bar, made about two-thirds the length of the main bar A, thelower end of which bar D is pivoted to the rear end of the paint orfluke C, while its upper end is attached to the curved handle E. F is asecond point or fluke made smaller than the point or fluke C, andpivoted at its centre to the secondary bar D, a little above the pointat which the point or fluke O is attached to the bar A. E shows a curvedhandle by which the fork is operated; this handle is pivoted at one endto the main bar A, and has pivoted to it the upper end of the secondarybar D. This curved handle, at its opposite end is provided with the eyeor how 6 to receive the tripping tackle, by operating which it isintended that the fork shall be released from ihe hay after the same hasbeen elevated. G is a third bar, made smaller than the bars A and .I);this third banG has one end pivoted to'th'e back end of the point orfluke F, while its opposite end is pivoted to the curved handle E, ashort distance outside of the point of pivoting the bar D.

My improved horse hay-fork being thus constructed, the operation is asfollows: The fork, as shown in fig. 1, is closed, the point or flukeprojecting in a line parallel with the main bar A. In this position itis inserted into the body of hay to be elevated. After thesame hns beeninserted into the hay to be elevated, the rope attached to the eye orbow b is pulled downward 'sufiiciently to depress this curved handle. Asthis curved handle is depressed, the secondary bar isthrown downward,and as this operation of the secondary bar is efi'ected,'tho point orfluke C, pivoted, as shown, to the main bar A, and secondary bar D, isthrown outward at a right angle frorn the bar A. Simultaneously with thedepression of the curved handle and throwing out of the point or fluke,the third bar is depressed, by which depression the point or flukeattached to the third bar is thrown outward at a right angle from thebar D. It will be observed that as the curved handle is depressed, thebar I) is moved outward at its lower end from the main bar A, the effectofwhich is to spread or strain the hay outward, serving to give theflukcs or points a strong hold in the hay. The operating parts of thefork having been thus firmly inserted in the hay, the same is raised bya rope attached to the eye B of the main bar A, which rope passes over apulley and is drawn by a horse. When the fork, carrying with it the hay,has been elevatedthe proper distance, and it is desired to release thehay from the fork, the rope passing from the eye or how of the curvedhandle, as well as'through the eye upon the main bar, is pulled so as toelevate and bring back to its original position the curved handle. Asthis handle returns, it operates the secondary and third bars, bringingthem back to their former position, and as they return thereto thepoints or flakes thrown out by the depression of these bars, return totheir former position, pointing downward, and the fork may then bereadily withdrawn frorn the elevated hay, discharging the same.

' Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesirc tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

In combination with the bars A l) and G, I claim the curved handle E,and points or ilukes C and F, when the same shall be constructed andoperated substantially as shown.

- GEORGE W. HEATH.

Witnesses:

A. Storm Donna, I. Poucn.

